Borage is an oil which is the richest source of the fatty acid gamma linolenic acid, containing anywhere from 20% to 26% of it. GLA has the interesting property of being converted into prostaglandin E1, or PGE1 for short. PGE1 is a hormone like substance which has the health beneficial effects of thinning the blood and dilating the blood vessels as well has conferring slight anti-inflammatory advantages. The metabolism of GLA into PGE1 inside the body can be disrupted and interfered through various factors such as getting old, various diseases, inadequate amounts of vitamins, saturated fats, diabetes, and hydrogenated oils. However, taking supplements such as borage oil will offset this imbalance by flooding the body with more GLA and theoretically PGE1. Borage oil derives from seeds of the Borago officinalis plants.
Other essential fatty acids are also contained within the various fish oil available, which is why borage oil is often mixed with them. By combining fish oil with borage oil, GLA and other fatty acids are mixed in the body in the right proportions to offset a number of illnesses and conditions. For instance, because of its high GLA content, borage oil has been shown to reduce symptoms of pain, stiffness, and stress that are associated with the disease rheumatoid arthritis. There have also been many studies suggesting that these essential fatty acids found in fish oil and borage oil can have a positive effect on many conditions that plague the woman population, including the symptoms of PMS, cramps, and the much dreaded mood swings. Apparently borage oil is also able to help people who suffer from eczema. In fact, in the studies conducted, even the areas not treated with the specific preparation of borage oil healed quite well after other areas were.
There are many people in Western countries who may suffer from an extreme lack of such substances as GLA, and who would therefore benefit greatly from taking them. Especially since the population of western countries is increasingly becoming obese or their nutritional intake is composed of mostly heavily processed foods and unhealthy fats. However, roughly one gram of borage or fish oil daily is enough to offset at least some of the diseases and conditions arising from this. There are a few side effects such as indigestion, bloating, and nausea, but overall there should be little to few problems in consuming these oils and if you are in doubt you should always see you doctor.
